U.K. Legal Brawl Puts Spotlight on Public-Defense Office

Tiny U.K. Public-Defense Office Faces Big Test

LONDON—Faced with the collapse of several high-profile fraud cases because defendants couldn't find affordable lawyers, the U.K. government this year appealed to a little-known agency, the Public Defender Service, to help out by providing lawyers.

Word came back: The service wouldn't be able to lend a hand. Two of its three qualified lawyers were on sick leave, and several new recruits wouldn't be in place for months.